THE Victoria Leisure Annual Charity Ball raised thousands for North West Cancer Research .

Last month’s event made a total of £3,366, which was £700 more than last year’s event. Barclaycard matched the £750 made from the raffle on the night.

Wally Birch, MD of Victoria Leisure, who presented the final cheque to the cancer charity, said: “A special thank-you for the generous donations and raffle prizes from members and all supporters of North West Cancer Research, and not forgetting the excellent food and service from the Ramada Hotel which was certainly 5-star. We intend to hold a further charity ball in June at the same venue.”

Olive Cutts, chair of Southport Committee, said: “Cancer is something that is very personal to our committee. I am undergoing treatment at the moment but this gives me the energy and desire to fight this awful disease and help others it may touch. The event was a great success and we are delighted to handover the funds we raised to NWCR to help them to continue the brilliant work they do.”

Anne Jackson, Chief Executive of NWCR, said the Southport committee was the backbone of the charity.